ALAMOSA – Colorado Rural Health Center staff travelled to Alamosa recently to host a luncheon aimed at celebrating Colorado’s rural safety net clinics during this year’s Annual Safety Net Clinic Week (SNCW), Aug. 12-16.
CRHC chose San Luis Valley Health Regional Medical Center to honor the work of San Luis Valley Health staff and to hold a reading of a governor’s proclamation.
“Safety net clinics are essential points of access for healthcare services in rural communities across the state. Quality care is provided to those who are uninsured, underinsured, or insured through public programs like Medicaid, CHP+ and Medicare thanks to our safety net clinics,” said CRHC CEO Michelle Mills. CRHC hosts SNCW each year to celebrate, honor and raise awareness of the work of safety net clinics and to educate policymakers, healthcare advocates and community leaders on the necessity of keeping our safety net intact and thriving.”
Konnie Martin, CEO of San Luis Valley Health, expressed gratitude and pride in being part of the safety net system, stating, “We are thankful to have a safety net system and very proud to be part of the safety net and taking care of our community.”
Even though supplemental federal funding is unavailable to them, RHCs provide essential healthcare services to rural and underserved populations. While RHCs are diverse in their business and practice models, they are comparable in their commitment to providing health and healthcare services to people in need. They deliver meaningful results and value to their communities despite limited funding for general operations, workforce challenges, growing reporting and accountability requirements and changing payment and delivery models.
This year, CRHC hosted a celebratory luncheon for policymakers, funders, providers, and other healthcare partners in Alamosa on Aug. 16. CRHC chose Alamosa to honor the hard work of San Luis Valley Health employees in the effort to pass SB24-168 this past legislative session.
SLVH Becky Daniels testified in front of the committee. Becky Daniels shared her personal experience, noting, “This is the biggest and best thing I’ve done with my career in my 11 years of healthcare. It gives me a way to help our patients in a way they have never been helped before.”
Martin concluded, “It is an honor to have had the voice and to have had the team behind this important initiative.”
This vital piece of legislation, signed into law in May and co-sponsored by local representative Matthew Martinez (D), expands access to Remote Patient Monitoring services and Continuous Glucose Monitors for Medicaid members across Colorado. Read more about the bill on CRHC’s website https://coruralhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/168-Fact-sheet-april-26.pdf and view a short advocacy video on CRHC’s YouTube channel (https://youtu.be/Li6UBdD9jMI).
“The efforts of San Luis Valley Health, as well as Melissa Memorial in Holyoke and countless other facilities and partners, made the passage of SB24-168 possible this year. From testifying in front of committee to education campaigns, the work of dedicated advocates such as these will make a real difference in patients’ lives,” said Mills. “Showcasing the important work done by our members is what the week was all about. Happy Safety Net Clinic Week.”
Governor Jared Polis also signed a declaration proclaiming August 12-16 Safety Net Clinic Week in the state of Colorado. According to the proclamation, “these care settings often lack sufficient workforce and technical resources, but are creating innovative solutions to delivering patient-centered, high-quality care in an efficient and effective manner.
“We express our gratitude to these clinics who dedicate their time, energy, and resources to serving their communities,” the proclamation continued.
The Colorado Rural Health Center was established in 1991 as Colorado's State Office of Rural Health. As a nonprofit corporation, CRHC serves dual roles as the State Office of Rural Health with the mission of assisting rural communities in addressing healthcare issues; and as the State Rural Health Association, advocating for policy change to ensure that rural Coloradoans have access to comprehensive, affordable healthcare services of the highest quality.
For more information, visit www.coruralhealth.org, call 303-832-7493, or call toll free 800-851-6782 from rural Colorado.
